Help me, uh, pull the plug.
June 1, 2010 5:29 PM Subscribe
NSFW help! I can't remove my cervical cap.
So I'm a very tiny lady who uses the FemCap about 3 times a year when we run out of condoms. Normally it's a 10 minute pain to remove but nothing impossible. This time, for whatever reason, it just won't budge. I've tried lying on the floor, standing with one knee up, and an ungraceful squatting position to no avail. Yes, I will see my OB/GYN if it's absolutely necessary, but I'd prefer to use that as my last resort. Any tips? What position might work best?
So I'm a very tiny lady who uses the FemCap about 3 times a year when we run out of condoms. Normally it's a 10 minute pain to remove but nothing impossible. This time, for whatever reason, it just won't budge. I've tried lying on the floor, standing with one knee up, and an ungraceful squatting position to no avail. Yes, I will see my OB/GYN if it's absolutely necessary, but I'd prefer to use that as my last resort. Any tips? What position might work best?
I can't get my contacts off if I'm dehydrated. Try drinking a big glass of water and take a cool shower or bath, then have another go.
posted by toodleydoodley at 5:38 PM on June 1, 2010
posted by toodleydoodley at 5:38 PM on June 1, 2010
Could using a lubricant like KY jelly help reduce the friction/resistance/discomfort as you try to remove it?
posted by Year of meteors at 5:43 PM on June 1, 2010
posted by Year of meteors at 5:43 PM on June 1, 2010
I haven't used one, but looking at it - have you tried "breaking the seal", if it forms one?
posted by Solon and Thanks at 5:46 PM on June 1, 2010
posted by Solon and Thanks at 5:46 PM on June 1, 2010
Warm bath or heating pad to relax the muscles in your lower abdomen. Try again in half an hour. Good luck!
posted by vincele at 5:57 PM on June 1, 2010
posted by vincele at 5:57 PM on June 1, 2010
Are you talking about a diaphragm?
Happened to my ex about 30 years ago. She asked for help. I was only too willing to oblige.
I lubricated my fingers (I think it was butter at the time) and embarked on my mission.
In short order (too short) it was mission accomplished. Painless and effective. It was mere suction. Breaking the edge of the "seal" was all it took.
Good luck and don't worry.
posted by private_idaho at 6:27 PM on June 1, 2010
Happened to my ex about 30 years ago. She asked for help. I was only too willing to oblige.
I lubricated my fingers (I think it was butter at the time) and embarked on my mission.
In short order (too short) it was mission accomplished. Painless and effective. It was mere suction. Breaking the edge of the "seal" was all it took.
Good luck and don't worry.
posted by private_idaho at 6:27 PM on June 1, 2010
Please don't use butter as a lubricant. Otherwise all above advice is good.
posted by telegraph at 7:13 PM on June 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by telegraph at 7:13 PM on June 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
Uh, have you tried "bearing down" (as if you are having a bowel movement) in your favorite removal position? It should make it easier to reach, and hopefully you can break the seal on it that way.
I've never used a cervical cap, but I do use a divacup, here are the removal instructions for the divacup, which are pretty similar, and also stays in place partially by suction.
Good Luck!
posted by inertia at 9:32 PM on June 1, 2010
I've never used a cervical cap, but I do use a divacup, here are the removal instructions for the divacup, which are pretty similar, and also stays in place partially by suction.
Good Luck!
posted by inertia at 9:32 PM on June 1, 2010
I had a gf who used a crochet hook. Can't remember the size, but it worked well.
posted by Danf at 9:37 PM on June 1, 2010
posted by Danf at 9:37 PM on June 1, 2010
Are you just having an instance of "can't quite reach" or is it an instance of "that bugger is just stuck on"?
If it's a "can't quite reach", see if you can just pinch the top and pull. It'll pinch some, but it'll be easier to reach.
If it's more "that bugger is just stuck on", see if you can break the suction anywhere. You'll have to reach further in to get to the base of it, but sometimes when the suction was just really strong with mine I found that breaking the suction by flipping the base up a little helped a lot and it popped right out.
Have used cervical caps for two separate several-month stints now and love it, but yeah, this sometimes was a once-in-the-blue-moon problem.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:59 PM on June 1, 2010
If it's a "can't quite reach", see if you can just pinch the top and pull. It'll pinch some, but it'll be easier to reach.
If it's more "that bugger is just stuck on", see if you can break the suction anywhere. You'll have to reach further in to get to the base of it, but sometimes when the suction was just really strong with mine I found that breaking the suction by flipping the base up a little helped a lot and it popped right out.
Have used cervical caps for two separate several-month stints now and love it, but yeah, this sometimes was a once-in-the-blue-moon problem.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:59 PM on June 1, 2010
I once used a spoon to remove my diaphragm. You just need something to extend your reach, get up under the rim and break the suction.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 7:01 AM on June 2, 2010
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 7:01 AM on June 2, 2010
Do not, repeat do not, use a crochet hook!
Take a bath, try removing it while you are in the bathtub. Use whatever soap you use on your body as lubricant. Try squatting or raising your legs or whatever position works in the tub to make your cervix more accessible. Invite your partner into the tub with you.
posted by mareli at 7:30 AM on June 2, 2010
Take a bath, try removing it while you are in the bathtub. Use whatever soap you use on your body as lubricant. Try squatting or raising your legs or whatever position works in the tub to make your cervix more accessible. Invite your partner into the tub with you.
posted by mareli at 7:30 AM on June 2, 2010
If I want to reach far up there, I need to squat all the way so my butt is touching the floor (maybe bathtub would be better). You know how the OB/GYN is always saying to scootch further down the table?
Other than that I suggest trying to break the seal and bearing down as suggested above.
posted by Gor-ella at 1:30 PM on June 2, 2010
Other than that I suggest trying to break the seal and bearing down as suggested above.
posted by Gor-ella at 1:30 PM on June 2, 2010
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posted by purlgurly at 5:30 PM on June 1, 2010